Journey of a Lifetime -- Installment 1

Today I begin to share with you the draft of my memoir, book, journal, diary -- whatever it will eventually be called.  I will post "installments" from my writings from time to time, and welcome any and all comments, advice, criticism.

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December 2000.  It was a bitter cold December morning.  I shivered as I boarded the plane, but not because of bone chilling air -- definitely not from a fear of flying.  The weather posed no threat, even though its harshness grazed the skin and pricked at the eyes.  The day had dawned clear, and the sky was crystalline blue.  The trip itself had my anxiety at its peak.  I was embarking on a journey like none I had ever experienced in my lifetime.  Was I ready?  From the standpoint of preparations, yes, I was ready -- my bags were packed, my ticket in hand, and my plane ready to take off.  But did my bags and my hands hold everything I needed for this trip?  Did my ticket take me where I really wanted to go?  In spite of fears rooted in family history – a story I didn't want to confront, my journey was becoming as clear as the day itself.  No other itinerary was possible.

As I flew toward home in Oregon and all things comfortable, I pondered the events leading up to this trip.  So far, it had not been an easy one.  Several weeks of anguish had pointed me in the direction of truth.  It has been said "the truth will set you free" (John 8:32), and I clung to the hope this was true.  In many ways, however, I felt that perhaps the truth was about to imprison me.  My plans were indefinite from this point forward.  No detailed, step-by-step recipe showed me where I’d be in a day, a week, a month, maybe in years.  One thing was for certain.  I'd be home by nightfall and in the safe and loving arms of my husband.  That knowledge set another set of thoughts into motion. 

I longed for affirmation that I had made the right decision in starting this trip.  Could I complete it successfully?  Would I destroy everything we had built over the last 20 years?  I had a wonderful husband, a career I enjoyed and a home that I cherished.  We loved traveling and searching through antique stores to find that treasured item.  We loved music and a night out at the symphony.  We were both involved in church activities that required time commitments.  What was I thinking?  What I was about to do could change all of this in the twinkling of an eye!  So much preparation lay ahead once home, not to mention the distance I had to go – a distance not measured in miles. 

I had always believed in the power of prayer, but viewed it as something I did when others were in need.  Did I need to engage in more personal prayer?  So on that December morning, as the plane soared through the underlayer of the firmament, I asked God for strength, courage, guidance, and yes, affirmation.  That was all I could do.  I knew my husband and best friend would stand beside me through anything, but this wasn't going to be easy for either of us, or so I thought.  Little did I know what was in store over the next several months.

[Copyright 2011 by Sherrey Meyer.  All rights reserved.]

Life's Changes

Today I'm linking up with Beck Gambill over at Beck Far From Home in her Sister to Sister spot.  Today's word for our thoughtfulness and writing experience is "change."  Believe me, it didn't take me long to figure out what I'd write!

All I have to do is take a look in any mirror to see the chronology of changes that have taken place in my physical life.  The gray hair is more abundant than ever, and the hair is thinning.  What happened to that thick, luxurious hair I once had?  And that dewy skin?  The wrinkles are beginning to take up residence there and have changed the surface quality of my face, arms, legs, and other body parts.  We won't begin to talk about sagging -- it's too embarassing!

And then there are those stiff joints and sore places that I wake up with in the morning.  The long walks we used to take aren't so easy any more, and I haven't been on my new bike (it's 2 years old now!) since I got it.  I also see the changes in my husband both physically and emotionally.  As his siblings age (he's the youngest of six), he takes on more of the caring role and it's not easy for him.  But we both know we're not that young any more.  After all, the grown kids are now calling to see if they need to come over and "help" us get things done!  OK, we're not that old yet!!!

But these are only a few of the changes that have come about in life.  These are the physical ones, the ones I can see.  There are other more important, more impactful changes -- like the growth in my marriage of 30 years, the joy of grandparenting and now great-grandparenting, the love of having time in retirement to volunteer more in community and church, the ease with which Bob and I share morning devotional and prayer and reading the Bible. 

My willingness to stand in front of a group and share my witness is something that 20 years ago I would have never believed I would do.  Now, I take great joy in sharing God's love with young moms, young marrieds, anyone who will listen willingly.  And writing -- it has come to me later in life than most who will read this and I love putting words to "paper" and enjoy thinking about what I will write today.  Then, what will I do with it next?  The anticipation of possibly appearing on someone else's blog, in an article for an online magazine, or in an actual printed publication excites me.  I want to write my memoir, and I'm trying day by day to accomplish this.  Yet, I feel the pull and tug of God to do more writing, perhaps devotional writing or maybe even a novel with Christian principles throughout. 

So, you see change never ends.  It is a lifelong process.  One that God plans so far ahead we can't anticipate the changes.  I like to think of the changes, both physical and otherwise, as God's marks on my life, the places where He has touched me for some reason and left His hand print.  In that sense, change isn't so bad, is it?